Friday, November 22, 2013

Philippines-Could We Still Restore Our Church Bells? Balangiga Ask to the U.S. Military

A Roman Catholic Church and belfry on the Phil. coastal town of Balangiga devastated by the Super Typhoon Yolanda. In Balangiga, the belfry rises from the rubble, a battered symbol of resistance for a people with mixed feelings about the U.S. military now helping them to live and survive. The town built the belfry in 1998 in the hope that the United States would return 3 bells it says were stolen as trophies during 1899-1902 Philippine-American War. 2 of the bells are at the Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming. The 3rd part of a traveling museum now in the South Korea. After one of the world's most powerful typhoons roared across the Central Philippines and killed more than 4,000 civilians. U.S. military choppers are flying in aid to desperate regions such as this once picturesque fishing village of 12,600 people in ravaged Samar province. It was here 112 yrs. ago that one of the darkest chapters of American colonialism began: the island-wide massacre by U.S. soldiers of thousands of Pilipinos, including women and children, in response to the killing of 48 U.S. soldiers by rebels. Marciano Deladia, a chief aide to the mayor and other residents are thankful for the U.S. packets of rice and other food, but he said "We want our bells back". One is believed to have been rung to signal the start of the attack.

Greek license

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